What a way to start the new year – Singapore has just raised its GST to nine percent, and this comes shortly after we’ve been crowned the world’s most expensive city for yet another year running. Naturally, we’re all feeling the pinch, especially when it comes to daily necessities like meals and groceries.
Thankfully, to help defray the increasing cost of living, the government is granting every Singapore household $500 worth of CDC (Community Development Council) Vouchers which can be used at places like supermarkets, hawker centres, and more. Here’s a handy guide on using your CDC Vouchers this 2024, covering everything from the redemption process, deadlines to take note of, and whether you can claim physical copies instead of digital credits.
Who is eligible for CDC Vouchers?
Every Singaporean household, regardless of income status, is eligible to receive $500 worth of CDC Vouchers – split into $250 for participating supermarkets, and $250 for participating heartland hawker stalls and merchants. This amount is fixed no matter how big or small the household is, so if you live with your parents, siblings, or children, it’s up to you guys to decide on how to split the credits. Credits from one category cannot be transferred to the other.
How to redeem CDC Vouchers for 2024?
CDC Vouchers can be redeemed online via go.gov.sg/cdcv. After clicking ‘claim’, you will be asked to log into your Singpass account for verification. Thereafter, you’ll receive an SMS from RedeemSG with a link to your vouchers, which you’ll be able to access through your smartphone anytime. Only one person from the household needs to do this step, while the rest can simply have the link forwarded to them and access the vouchers from there.
Be sure not to send the link to anyone outside of your household, as they’ll then be able to utilise your vouchers as well. Any vouchers that have been misspent cannot be replaced.
Note: With all the phishing scams going on right now, do make sure to double-check with your family members regarding any links received before clicking on them, just to be safe.
Are there physical versions of CDC Vouchers?
Your elderly relatives might not own smartphones, but not to worry. In lieu of digital credits, physical CDC Vouchers can be collected at Community Centres and Community Clubs in each neighbourhood. Remember to bring along identification items such as your NRIC for verification purposes. Do note that a physical copy can only be collected if the digital version has yet to be claimed, and that the vouchers cannot be split between the two.
On a related note, feel free to help a loved one collect their physical vouchers at the CC, if they are unable to make their own way down for whatever reason. All you need is their notification letter, a filled-in authorisation form, and the required supporting documents as stated in the aforementioned form.
Where can CDC Vouchers be used?
Supermarkets (denominations of $10)
Your $250 worth of supermarket vouchers can be used at Ang Mo Supermarket, Cold Storage, Giant, Hao Mart, NTUC FairPrice, Prime, Sheng Shiong, and U Stars. Check out the full list of specific outlets here.
Hawkers and heartland merchants (denominations of $2, $5, and $10)
The other $250 can go towards selected participating hawkers and heartland merchants. The range is much wider for this category, as ‘heartland merchants’ also encompasses a pool of local cafés, hair salons, pet supply stores, clothing stores, Art Friend, and even Kiddy Palace. Check out the full list of hawkers and heartland merchants here.
Typically, any store that accepts CDC Vouchers as payment would have a little signage pasted at their entrance or cashier area. This will be in yellow for supermarkets, and teal for hawkers and heartland merchants.
How to use CDC Vouchers to make payment?
First, access your vouchers via your smartphone through the unique link given to your household. Select the type of vouchers you’d like to use, choose your desired amount to spend, and a QR code will appear for you to present to the shop’s staff when making payment. The staff will then scan your QR code to deduct the amount accordingly.
Bear in mind that strictly no change will be given, so if you use a $10 voucher for an $8 purchase, you’ll have to forgo the remaining $2. However, voucher usage can be combined with cash, so you can use a $5 voucher and top up $3 from your pocket for an item that costs $8. The same rules apply for physical vouchers.
When is the deadline for redemption and usage of CDC Vouchers?
CDC Vouchers do come with an expiry date – all vouchers must be claimed and used by 31 December, 2024. Any unused amount will be forfeited, so make sure you use it all up sooner rather than later to avoid letting any of it go to waste.
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